10 Can’t-Miss Sessions at the 2018 Pennsylvania Conference for Women

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Serena Williams will keynote the 2018 Pa. Conference for Women in Philadelphia this year.

With keynote speakers including tennis superstar Serena Williams, 16-year-old developer and activist Amanda Southworth and international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, it’s hard not to envy someone with a ticket to this year’s sold-out PA Conference for Women taking place this Friday. The full lineup of speakers includes experts in finance, higher education, tech, philanthropy, law, and much more.

Some of Philadelphia’s own, including Mayor Jim Kenney, 6abc anchor Tamala Edwards and meteorologist Cecily Tynan, will speak at the event. Additionally, attendees will be able to swing by roundtables in both tech and small business focus areas to learn more about how to step up their social media and business development game, for example.

Breakout sessions at this year’s conference will cover everything from the much discussed #MeToo movement to how-to sessions on addressing the wage gap at work.

Here are ten BizPhilly-picked sessions that you must have on your agenda:

In the Wake of #MeToo: What Does the Workplace Look Like Now?

Where: Terrace IV

When: 10-11 a.m.

A panel of men and women (yes, it includes men) will discuss how the #MeToo movement has reshaped the way we talk about harassment in the workplace. You may be scratching your head about why men would be included on a panel that centers women, but panelists will discuss topics like whether the movement has discouraged men from mentoring and hiring women to the ways these issues should discussed between all genders at work.

Personal Brand Overhaul: Redefine the Way You’re Perceived at Work

Where: Meeting Room 120

When: 10-11 a.m.

Catherine Kaputa, leader of the “I Love NY” campaign, is the thought leader for this panel discussion which will help attendees define their identities within the workplace. Stop by for tips on how to improve your in-person and online branding.

Corner Office Success: How to Accelerate Your Career Trajectory

Where: Terrace I (morning), Meeting Room 115 (afternoon)

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.

Anyone interested in boosting their career should check these sessions out to learn four key behaviors of successful CEOs and three different types of career catapults that anyone can use to get out of a rut. Based on research by the CEO of the Genome Project, this session seeks to overturn the common myths about how successful people landed their dream jobs.

Parenting: How to Find More Day-to-Day Happiness

Where: Meeting Room 120

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

New York Times parenting and family column editor and author of the book, “How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life and Loving (Almost) Every Minute,” Kj Dell’Antonia will offer advice on how to manage the common problems parents face finding happiness during this talk.

Women and Work: Changing the Meaning of Ambition

Where: Meeting Room 115

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Co-authors and college friends Hana Schank and Elizabeth Wallace share insights from their project The Ambition Interviews and their book “The Ambition Decisions” to help young professionals learn how to make difficult choices in their careers.

Get Paid What You’re Worth

Where: Terrace II/III

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.

Women are still getting paid only 80 percent of what men make and this panel of experts wants to change that. Their discussion will help women learn how to navigate the money conversation whether they’re interviewing for a new job or asking for a raise.

The Myth of the Nice Girl: Leading with Strength and Kindness

Where: Terrace IV

When: 3-4 p.m.

Join Fran Hauser, author of “The Myth of the Nice Girl” to learn how to reclaim the “nice” label and avoid gender stereotypes about how a leader acts in the workplace.

Break the Cycle: Embrace Your Hormones

Where: Meeting Room 122

When: 3-4 p.m.

This personal development workshop will help women understand the ways their hormonal cycle can help them achieve success. Lead by Martie Haselton, the world’s leading researcher on sex and sexuality, this session will dismantle the false fears women have about their bodies and will leave them feeling empowered to succeed at all times of the month.

Telling Your Business’ Story

Where: Women Owned Business Pavillion, Halls C and D

When: 3-4:40 p.m.

Award-winning branding and communications strategist Shakira M. Brown will lead this roundtable discussion about how to sell your business story. This session will give business owners pointers on how to sell who they are and what their business is so that they can better advertise themselves to the public.

One Funny Mother: Build Your Brand for Social Media

Where: Social Hub Halls C and D

When: 3-4:40 p.m.

This roundtable will get at the heart of what makes a good social media brand: authenticity. Comedian and founder of Ladies OUT LOUD, Dena Blizzard will share what she’s learned from operating her online brand, “One Funny Mother,” and will help attendees learn how they can build a community for their brand on social media.